It had been a few years since I had been back in Chicago to see the Festival, an event I never missed when I lived there. I saw several great bands, and I never even made it to the main stage! Each band I saw seemed to get better than the previous. Only two had I heard of before (although players like Billy Branch sitting in with Sam Lay I knew). Zac Harmon and his band blew me away with their sound and personalities. Bob Stroger, the bass player for Willie "Big Eyes" Smith was just a pleasure to watch. All the bands displayed top musicianship. It was a boogie fest!

As I write this, November 2011, I just read that Willie "Big Eyes" Smith passed away on September 16. RIP Willie, we will miss your music.